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Survey
of Senior Dog Owners Reveals Owners Have Much to Learn About
Keeping Fido Fit as He Ages
Release provided by The Iams Company
Dayton,
Ohio - July 14, 1999 - Did you know that dogs over the
age of seven are considered to be seniors? In a recent telephone
survey by The Iams Company, only 76% of senior dog owners
considered their over-seven pups to be seniors. Because senior
pets have special health and nutrition needs, it's crucial
for owners to take heed of the signs and symptoms of aging.
Of the
senior dog owners surveyed, 65% acknowledged that their canine
friend's physical, nutritional and emotional needs have changed
over the years. When asked how they know their dogs are aging,
common answers included:
- Decreased
activity level (42%)
- Graying
around muzzle (41%)
- Increased
stiffness and/or soreness (33%)
Two other
common signs of aging among dogs are trouble chewing foods
and digestive upset. These signs, as well as the changing
nutritional needs of senior dogs, make it imperative to feed
a high quality senior diet to dogs over the age of seven.
However, of the 230 senior dog owners surveyed, only 40% said
they fed their dog a food specifically formulated for senior
dogs.
The
Iams Good for Life® Senior Dog Survey was conducted in
January 1999 among 620 callers to the Iams Company's toll-free
customer service number. For more information on proper pet
care and nutrition for pets of all ages, call The Iams Pet
Professionals toll free at 1-800-863-4267, Monday through
Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. You can
also visit Iams online at www.iams.com.
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